Page 47 of The Jack*ss in Class

“Sorry,” I muttered, shoving my phone in my pocket. “I’m watching.”

“No, you’re not,” Gryff said, but he was smiling. “And that’s okay. It’s kind of nice seeing you actually care about someone for once.”

“I care about people,” I protested.

“Yeah, for exactly two weeks.” He gave me a knowing look. “This is different though, isn’t it?”

Before I could answer, another round of crude comments floated over from the next suite. Something about “lowering standards.”

Dad stood up silently, his jaw clenched. Even after all these years, he still had that look that could send even the toughest among us, scurrying to their room, or to do theirchores and homework. Without a word, he strode toward the door.

“Dad?” Jules called after him, worry clear in her voice.

But he didn’t respond. The suite fell silent as we heard him knock on the door next door.

“Should we...” Gryff started, but Jules shook her head.

“Trust me, those jerks are about to learn why Dad was voted meanest defensive player in the League.”

A few minutes later, Dad returned, looking satisfied. The neighboring suite had gone suspiciously quiet.

“What did you say to them?” I asked.

Dad just shrugged, but there was a glint in his eye that spoke volumes. “Just reminded them about good sportsmanship and respect.”

I pulled out my phone again, started typing to Tempest about how my dad had just possibly terrified some corporate executives into silence, but stopped myself. For once in my life, I didn’t want to play this cool or funny. I wanted her to know I took this stuff seriously.

Chris was leading another drive down the field, and this time I was going to actually watch my brothers play.

But as the game wound down, I was itching to reach back into my pocket and check to see if she’d texted back.

The Mustangs’ victory set off a chain reaction of chaos in our suite. Gryff and Isak were practically hanging out the windows screaming while Jules jumped up and down shouting something about dynasty status. I was right there with them until my phone buzzed.

Tempest: Tell your brothers congrats on the win. It was more fun to watch than I expected.

My heart did a stupid little flip. She’d been watching. Really watching.

Me: Wish you were here to see everyone freaking out.

I added a picture of Gryff and Isak basically climbing over each other trying to get a better view of the field.

Tempest: Some of us are watching from the comfort of our beds, surrounded by homework, like responsible students.

Me: Responsible shmesponsible.

“Mom would have loved this,” Dad said to all of us in the suite. His eyes were fixed on the field where Chris, Hayes, Everett, and Declan were being mobbed by teammates and press. “Especially those commercials.”

She was still making an impact on all of our lives, even after all these years without her.

The lot of us headed out of the suite. The girls and Dad were headed to the field, but Gryff and I were tasked with taking Isak and Jules back to the hotel before we hit the after party.

As we walked toward the elevators, Marie Manniway sidled up next to Dad. “Now seems a suitable time to ask for favors. Would you mind showing up to the KAT house on campus next Monday? The National Chapter presidentjust emailed and the DSU girls are being honored with the April De la Reine Award. I’ll be there, of course, but I thought you might like to go too.”

My head snapped up. KAT house? As in Kappa Alpha Tau? As in Tempest’s sorority?

“Of course,” Dad nodded. “April loved being a KAT at University of Los Angeles. She’d be delighted our local girls are getting the award. Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Wait,” I tried to sound casual. “Mom was in that sorority?”

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